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Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina, fresh off her US Open victory and newly installed as the world’s top-ranked player, could not sustain her momentum at the China Open in Beijing. The 27-year-old suffered a stunning second-round exit on Saturday, losing to Armenia’s Alina Charaeva in a match that lasted two hours and 11 minutes.
Charaeva, ranked 118th in the world and making her Beijing debut, delivered a clinical performance to claim a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. The 24-year-old Armenian player broke through after Rybakina’s early dominance faltered, with seven double-faults proving costly in the opening set and beyond. Despite a supportive crowd attempting to rally the world No. 1 back into contention, Charaeva held her nerve to secure the upset.
The victory marked a remarkable achievement for Charaeva, who expressed her disbelief at the result. "This is incredible," she said after the match, calling the win a "dream come true" against a player she described as amazing. The Armenian player will now face Britain’s Sonay Kartal in the third round of the tournament.
The China Open is a prestigious tennis tournament held annually in Beijing. Rybakina’s US Open victory in New York elevated her to the world No. 1 ranking, making this her first competitive outing at the top of the rankings.
Sources and attribution
- Jamaica Observer
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